Title VI Complaint Procedures

As a recipient of federal dollars, Pomona Valley Transportation Authority is required to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and ensure that services and benefits are provided on a non-discriminatory basis. Pomona Valley Transportation Authority has in place a Title VI Complaint Procedure, which outlines a process for local disposition of Title VI complaints and is consistent with guidelines found in the Federal Transit Administration Circular 4702.1B, dated October 1, 2012. The Complaint Procedures and Complaint Form are posted on our website at .

Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by the Pomona Valley Transportation Authoritymay file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form. Pomona Valley Transportation Authorityinvestigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. Pomona Valley Transportation Authoritywill only process complaints that are complete.

Within 10 business days of receiving the complaint, PVTA Title VI Administrator George Sparkswill review it to determine if our office has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by our office. Pomona Valley Transportation Authority has 30 days to investigate the complaint. The complainant will be notified in writing of the cause to any planned extension to the 30-day rule.

If more information is needed to resolve the case, Pomona Valley Transportation Authority may contact the complainant. The complainant has 10 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 10 business daysPomona Valley Transportation Authoritycan administratively close the case.

A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case. After the investigator reviews the complaint, she/he will issue one of two letters to the

complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the

allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. An

LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains

whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action will

occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, she/he has 30 days after the date of the closure letter or the LOF to appeal to the Pomona Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors or its designee. The complainant is entitled to review the denial, to present additional information and arguments, and to a separation of functions ( i.e. a decision by a person not involved in with initial decision to deny eligibility). The complainant is entitled to receive written notification of the decision of the appeal and the reasons for it.

A person may also file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration, at FTA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590

Pomona Valley Transportation Authority Title VI Complaint Form

COMPLAINTFORM

Section I: Please write legibly
1.Name:
2. Address:
3. Telephone: / 3.a. Secondary Phone(Optional):
4. Email Address:
5. Accessible Format Requirements? / [ ] Large Print / [ ] Audio Tape
[ ] TDD / [ ] Other
Section II:
6. Are your filing this complaint on your own behalf? / YES* / NO
*If you answered “yes” to #6, go to Section III.
7. If you answered “no” to #6, what is the name of the person for whom you are filing this complaint? Name:
8. What is your relationship with this individual:
9. Please explain why you have filed for a third party:
10. Please confirm that you have obtained permission of the aggrieved party to file on their behalf. / YES / NO
Section III:
11. I believe the discrimination I experienced was based on (check all that apply):
[ ] Race [ ] Color [ ] National Origin
12. Date of alleged discrimination: (mm/dd/yyyy)
13. Explain as clearly as possible what happened and why you believe you were discriminated against. Describe all persons who were involved. Include the name and contact information of the person(s) who discriminated against you (if known), as well as names and contact information of any witnesses. If more space is needed, please attach additional sheets of paper

Pomona Valley Transportation Authority

Title VI Complaint Form, Page 2

COMPLAINT FORM

Section IV:
14. Have you previously filed a Title VI complaint with Pomona Valley Transportation Authority? / YES / NO
Section V:
15. Have you filed this complaint with any other Federal, State, or local agency, or with any Federal or State court?
[ ] YES* [ ] NO
If yes, check all that apply:
[ ] Federal Agency ______[ ] State Agency ______
[ ] Federal Court ______[ ] Local Agency ______
[ ] State Court ______
16. If you answered “yes” to #15, provide information about a contact person at the agency/court where the complaint was filed.
Name:
Title:
Agency:
Address:
Telephone: Email:
Section VI:
Name of Transit Agency complaint is against:
Contact Person:
Telephone:

You may attach any written materials or other information that you think is relevant to your complaint.

Signature and date are required below to complete form:

Signature______Date______

Please submit this form in person or mail this form to the address below:

George Sparks, Title VI Coordinator

Pomona Valley Transportation Authority

2120 Foothill Blvd. #116

La Verne, CA 91750